Push-button-switch construction



- mm 1a K. KNUDSEN PUSH BUTTON SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 31. 1923'Nov. 4 1924- 2 INVENTOR RMATW ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 4, 1924.

an STATES PATENT OFFICE.

xnnn KNonsEN, or DANBURY, co-nnncrrco'r.

rnsn-eurron-swrron oonstrnocrron.

Application filed August 31, 1923. Serial No, 660,276.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, KNUD KNUDSEN, a subject of the King of Denmark, anda resident of Danbury, in the county of Fairfield and State ofConnecticut, have invented an Improvement in Push-BLitton-SwitchConstructions, of which the following is a specifioation.

This invention relates switch construction.

An object of this invention is to provide a simple. practical andcompact multiple push button switch construction. Another object is toprovide a construction of the above nature that will be of inexpensivemanufacture and one that will lend tself readily to manufacture on alarge quantity scale. Another object is to provide a construction of theabove type that will be readily and conveniently assembled ordisassembled, either in course of manufacture or in practical use and atthe same time will be well adapted to meet the conditions of hard,practical use. Another object is to provide a multiple push buttonswitch construction of reliable and dependable action and to providealso a compact, rugged and practical casing construction for push buttonswitches of this type. Other objects will be in part obvious or in partpointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elc ments and arrangements of parts as will beexemplified in the structure to be hereinafter set forth and the scopeof the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the drawing, in which are shown several of the various possibleembodiments of the mechanical features of this invention,

Figure 1 is a plan view,

Figure 2 is a front elevation, partly in central vertical section, and

Figure 3 is a bottom view of a multiple type push button switch,illustratively shown as embodying two circuit controlling devices.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal central sectional view of a device carryingconnecting mechanism and adaptedto be used in connection with thestructureshown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

Figure 4 is a plan View, partly broken away to show certain features ofconstrue tion more clearly;

to push button Figure 5 is afront elevation partly in central verticalsection, and

Figure 6 is a bottom view of a modified form of multiple push buttonswitch const-ruction particularly adapted for, and illustratively shownin connection with a multiple switch construction embodying two circuitcontrolling device's.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawing. I

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to Figures 1, 2 and3, there is shown at 10 a base plate preferably of-sheet metalconstruction and illustrativelyshown in rectangular shape. The baseplate10 may be beveled throughout its periphery as at 11 so as to merge intothe face of the wall against which the base plate 10 may be secured,suitable openings 12'being provided therein forthis latterpurposei Thebase plate 10 is provided with a plurality of' aligned openings,illustratively shown as two in number, and in general of a,circularshape, as at 13 and 14, and each overlapping the other so as tobe intercon-v nected one with the other as atzl5. The plu-.

rality of interconnected openings in the base plate 10 may convenientlybe formed therein as by stamping, for example. I I

Positioned upon the'base plate 10 and preferably made as a unitseparable therefrom, is a casing member generally indi cated at 16,formed of sheet metal, and shaped to provide a plurality of overlappingdomes or dome-shaped chambers illus tratively shown at 17 and 18 as twoin number. As is clearly shown in both Figures 1 and 2, adjacent domesintersect one another as at 19 so as-to provide within the casing apassage 20 between adjacent domes and forming a communicationtherebetween. The casing member 16 may be formed into the plurality ofdomes out of sheet metal as by stamping,gthus to provide a rigid andcompact series of interi'orly interconnected domes orshells. l r

The casing member 16is-m'ounted upon the base plate 10 as by a pluralityof cars 21 formedintegrally with the casipg suitably bent :over as shownin igures 2 and 3 after "being passed through suitable openings in thebase plate 10.- vWhen so re lated to thebase plate 10, the lower openends of the intercommunie'atm'g and 17 are placedv in substantialregistry 17 and domes 16 with the interconnecting openings 14 and 13respectiyely in the base plate 10. The openings in the base plate 10,however, are of lesser expanse than the lower open ends of the chamberforming domes not the casing 16, so that the metal of the base plate 10projects inwardly into the chambers within the domes and thus provides apair of oppositely disposed supportingflanges 21 and 22 associated withthe-interior of the dome 17 and a pairof oppositely disposed supportingflanges 23 and 24 associated with the dome 18.

7 As 'isclearlyshown in Figure 2, each of the plurality of domes; isprovidedwith an aperture at its upper end, through which projects apushbutton 25 suitablyflanged as at25 to limit its upward or outwardmovement with respect to its associated dome.

{Each push button 25 is adapted to coact with the switching mechanismhoused within the casing 16.

The switching mechanism preferably includesa plate or bar member 26 ofinsulating material, such as; fibre, for example, and has threadedthereinto a pair of screws 27 and ,28 (see Figure 3") adapted at theirinner ends to coact with a spring circuit closing member,=29.Iandada-pted at their outer or headed ends to secure in position theconductors 30 of. the circuit adapted to be controlled. I I

The plate member26 is in general or a rectangular shape, but has itsends preterably slightlycurved as is indicated more clearly in-Figure 8.The spring member 29 is made of {a flat spring material and isinterlocked with the member 26, the latter being provided with anopening 26 through-which the spring member 29 passes in a downwarddirection and is thence bent upwardly or loopedas at 29 the member 26being cut away as at26 and permitting the spring member'29 to passupwardly and into overlapping relationwith respect to the contactmembers 27 and 28.

There is provided onesuch connecting mechanism as shown in'FigureS andas here inabove described for each chamber or dome into which the casing16 is formed, The member 26 with its associated mechanismis adapted tobe mountedwithin one of the domes ,andto be supported upon theoppositely disposed-flanges 21 and 22 hereinbefore described. In orderto positionthe member 26-upon the oppositely disposed flanges 21 and 22,the member 26 is first positioned as shown mthe broken line in Figure 3at 26",

with the lefthand end inserted into the dome 17 and wellfwithin theplane of the basetheneorf; :The right hand end of the member 2-;6isthereupon swung inwardly and also within the planelof the base of thedome 1-7,;it being noted that the connecting space between adjacentopenings, as 13 and 14, in

the base member 10, as well as the interconnecting space 20 betweenadjacent domes, as 17 and 18, permit the right hand end to be carriedbeyond the plane of the flanges 21 and The member 26 may thereupon berotated so as to carry its respective ends into supporting position uponthe flanges 21 and 22, as shown in full lines in both Figures 2 and 3.

When thus positioned within a dome, as the dome 17, the spring member 29acts not only to hold thepush button 25 in its uppermost positiombutalso acts to hold the member 26 in frictional engagement with thesupporting flanges 21 and 22, and to substantially prevent a rotation ofthe member 26 with respect thereto. Another member 26 with likeconnecting mechanism may thereupon be inserted into another dome, as theadjacent dome 18. It will be noted that the interconnecting space 20between the interiors of the adjacent domes permits the insertion intoeach dome of the member 26 carrying the switching mechanism and intosuch a position that, upon a subsequent rotation of the switch carryingdevice, the latter is swung onto the oppositely disposed flanges 21 and22. for example, of the dome. The series of adjacent domes, intersectingone another,

thus not only provide a very rigid and compact mechanical structure, butalso inherently provide the requisite gap or space by means of which theswitch carrying member may bepositioned beyond the plane of theoppositely disposed flanges and for subsequent rotation thereof intosupporting position upon the supporting flanges.

Referring now to Figures l, 5 and 6, it will be seen that there isprovided a casing 16 providing two intersecting domes 17 and 18,intersecting at 19 to provide the inter-communicating gap or space 20 ashereinbefore described. Each dome carries a suitablepush button 25. Thebase plate 10, however, is provided with two inter-connecting oroverlapping apertures 13 and 14, each of irregular shape as is clearlyshown in Figures 4-. and 6, so as to provide two oppositelv disposedsupporting flanges 21 and 22% one for each dome or chamber 17 and 18respectively.

A single member 30, preferably of elongated rectangular shape andpreferably of insulating material carries two switching mech anisms,generally indicated at 31 and 320m on each half of the member 30 and onefor each dome or chamber 17 and 1:8 respectively. These switchingmechanisms are in general of the same nature as to their details as thesingle mechanism herei'nbefore described in connection with Figure 8 Inorder to position the switching mechanisms into coactive relation totheir respective push buttons 25, themember 30 is first given theposition indicated at 30 in Figure (-3 in broken lines. When. sopositioned out of range of. the oppositely disposed'flanges 21 and 22,ed mechanisms may be carried inwardly within the casing 16, it beingnoted thatthe inter-connecting space :20 between the interiors of thetwo chambers or domes l7 and 18 permits the inward movement of themember 30 beyond the planerof the flanges of 21 and 22 to take place.The member 30 is thereupon rotated into the full line position shown inFigure 6, whereupon/its respective ends are carried upon the supportingflanges 21 and 22 The spring mem bers of each switching mechanisn'iactnot only to hold the respective push buttons 25 in uppermost position,but also to holdthe member 30 in frictional engagement with the flanges21 and 22 for ultimate manual operation of the mechanisms by the pushbuttons 25. H v

As hereinbefore noted, the structure shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 is welladapted principally for use in connection with multiple push buttonconstructions where the switching mechanisms to be manuallyloperated,are two in number. There only two such mechanisms are employed asillustratively shown in connection with the modification of'lligures 1,2 and 3, and in the modification of Figures 4, 5 and 6, I prefer toprovide in the base plate 10' (see Figure at) a substantiallyrectangularly shaped depressed panel 33 at one end thereof and a likedepressed panel portion 34- at the opposite end thereof. In each ofthese paneled portions 33 and 34 suitable name plates or identificationdata may be mounted for identifying the respective push button switches17 and 18. When mounted onthe face of a wall, the base plate 10 ofFigure 4 is prefer-' ably so positioned that. the domes 1'? and 18 arein vertical alignment with one another whence it will readily be seenthat confusion is readily avoided as to which of the identifying panelsrefers to which dome.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided in this invention a.multiple push button switch construction of simple, compact andpractical arrangement and one in which the several objects hereinbeforenoted, together with many thoroughly practical advantages, aresuccessfully achieved. The overlapping or intersecting domes, preferablyintegrally formed with one another as illustratively shown in connectionwith two intersecting domes, form not only a very rigid mechanicalstructure, but also advantageously provide the requisite interveningspace or gap between adjacent domes through which the switch mechanismcarrying member may be inserted within the casing formed by the domes.Moreover, it will be seen that the parts may be readily assembled, andthat the switching mechanisms the member 30 with its associat' beyondthe ma be readil taken out of the casiin when necessary either for theconnection thereto of the conductors or for purposes of'repair orreplacement of parts. Moreover, also it willbe seen that the entiremechanism may be readily mounted in position on a wall and withoutinterference with, or independently of the switch carrying membersthemselves, an advantage of material importance in practical. use.

I A, various possible embodiments "may be madeof the above invention andas many changes might be made in the embodiment mg projectingtherethrough a." manually controlledswitch actuating member, a pair ofoppositely disposed flange portions each inwardly directed and adjacentthe plane of the base of said casing, and means carrying connectingmechanism adapted to be sup i ported upon said oppositely disposedflange portions for presenting sa1d1sw1tch mechanism for actuation bysaid manually con-- trolled members, said chambers having an"inter-communicating passage through which said means may be insertedinto saidcasing plane of said flange portions and by rotation thereofrelative to said casing to be swunginto supporting position. upon saidoppositely disposed flange portions.

2. In construction for push buttons and the like, in combination, acasing formed to provide a plurality of chambers, each having projectingtherethrough a manually controlled switch actuating,meml'ier, a pair ofoppositely disposedflange portions associated with each chamber andeach'inwardly directed, and a plurality of members-each carryingconnecting mechanism and each adapted to be supported upon theoppositely disposed flange portions of a chamberfor coaction with one ofsaid manually controlled members,.said chambers havinganinter-communicating passage adapted to permit the insertion therethroughof a carrying member into one of said chambers and i by a rotativemovement thereof relative to said casing to be swung into position uponsaid oppositely disposed flange portions.

, 3. In construction for push buttons and the like, in combination, acasing formed to provide a plurality of chambers, each having projectingtherethrough a manually con trolled switch actuating member, a pair ofoppositely disposed flange portions each inwardly directed and adjacentthe plane of the base of said casing, and means carrying connectingmecl'ianism adapted to be supported uponsaid oppositely disposed flangeportions for presenting said switch mechanism for actuation by saidmanually con-e trolled members, said chambers having anintercommunicating passage through which said means may be inserted intosaid casing beyond the plane of said flange portions and by rotationthereof relative to said casing to be swung into supporting positionupon said oppositely disposed flange portions, and means independent ofsaid last mentioned means for securing said casing to a wall.

4. In construction for push buttons and the like, in combination, a baseplate adapted to be secured to the face of a wall and having a pluralityof interconnecting openings therein, a casing formed tov provide aplurality of chambers interiorly connected by an intercommunicatingpassage, said casing being associated with said base plate so that thechambers thereof are in substantial registry with the openings in saidbase plate, and a plurality of members, each carryingconnecting'mechanism and each adapted to "be supported upon oppositelydisposed portions of said base plate formed by each opening therein,said intercommunicating passage between said chambers permitting aninsertion of one of said parts beyond the plane of said base plate andinto a chamber, and by a rotative movement thereof relative to saidcasing to be swung into position upon said oppositely disposed portionsof said base plate. I

5. In construction for push buttons and the like, in combination, asheet metal casing shaped to provide a plurality of adjacentsubstantially dome shaped chambers, adjacent chambers intersecting oneanother to provide an intercommunicating passage therebetween, meanscarrying connecting mechanism, and supporting means for said lastmentioned means associated with said casing and arranged relative tosaid passage to permit the insertion into said casing of said carryingmeans only through said passage.

6. In construction for push buttons and the like,in combination, a sheetmetal casing shaped to provide a plurality of adja cent substantiallydome shaped chambers,

adjacent chambers intersecting one another ported upon said oppositelydisposed flange-- portions for presenting said switch mechanism foractuatlon by said manually controlled members, said chambers having anintercommunicating passage through which said means may be inserted intosaid casing beyond the plane of said flange portions and by rotationthereof relat ve to said casing to be swung mto supporting positlon uponsaid oppositely disposed flange portions, and

means for holding said carrying means in position upon said oppositely,disposed flange portions. v

8. In construction for push" buttons and the like, in combination, abase platev having associated therewith a-plurality of individualchambers intersecting one another, and each chamber havingprojecting'therethrougha manually operable switclractuating member, aswitching mechanism for each chamber and means mounting said switchingmechanisms for actuation each by one of said manually operable members,

9. In construction for push buttons and the like, in combination, asheet metal cas-v ing shaped to provide: a plurality of adjacent,overlapping and substantially domeshaped chambers, a push buttonprojecting through each chamber, a switching mechanism for each chamber,and'means mounting said switching mechanisms relative to said casing foractuation each by one of said push buttons.

In test mony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this28th day of August, 1923.

KNUD KNUD SEN

